For several years, I have had the same question rolling through my head. So for, it hasn’t bumped into a decent answer, perhaps you can help. Here it is:
Other than potentially being subject to a military draft, what else does United States citizenship give me as an adult male?
Please, do not say the right to vote. The “motor-voter” laws pretty well erased that exclusive privilege. If there was a smidgen of that privilege remaining, the fruits of political action groups, such as ACORN, wiped the slate clean.
So, with all sincerity, I want to know, what makes being an American citizen so special?
In other civilizations, being a citizen carried distinct responsibilities, and guaranteed specific rights. Recall the Greek City States or Rome as examples.
I’m just hoping for a little intelligent discussion here; that’s all.
Thanks for playing.
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Hellenic City States was mention, so i guess that allows me to get involved and "play"...
And basicly, i have to ask... What Hellenic City State yo have in mind? They where all different more or less.
If you mean Sparta, you would be taken at 7 to receive the most hard training ever given to a man, and if you survived, you would have at 30 the right to stay out of the camp and create family. You had to go through the Agoge to be called a citizen in Sparta.
You had the right to vote, but you haven't the right not to vote. You had the right to propose something, but that might sent you straight to the bottom of Apothetai chasm (that is actually called Kheadas), the place where criminals and traitors where thrown. That if you had proposed something "sick" like "arms control"...
Sorry Frank Miller fans, no babies where thrown at Kheadas...
Then you had the right and was also mandatory, to help the state in gathering and preparing food for the children and army, keep the city safe and do other similar stuff as a Citizen Soldier.
After that, there where not much things to do. In Sparta, everything was "moving around" the State. The state was ton the Goverment only, but every Spartan citizen and the Military. Actually the Hellenic meaning of State means "Society of Citizens".
All the other City States where as well more or less militaristic. On some you could be elected as "senator", or organize a coup and become King. Lots of coups and revolutions in Athens. Of course there was the right to own slaves, but i don't think this is of any interest.
So lets sum up what you get as a citizen of a Hellenic City State.
-Mandatory Military Service
-Right to Keep and Bear Arms
-Right to vote. (But in most cases it was treason if you didn't care to vote)
-Mandatory Education.
-Mandatory Responsibility for the people and state.
-Right of property. (Not same at all states. Slaves included here.)
-Right to leave the City State.
-Taxation. (on most City States)
And i can't think of more. Rights of family or professional carrier, or self defense where natural rights and none dared to write them and say that he allows them. Same goes for the most of todays written rights.
So, in todays USA, you have many rights, and not that many responsibilities. Military Service is not mandatory for example. And there are also more real property rights. Basically the only you are asked to do is to pay taxes. You are not called to arms, you are not called to patrol the streets, you are not asked to gather intelligence, you are not asked to give food from your farm for the army nor to prepare food for the troops and basically the State is not demanding much from you as the City States did.
So, what distinct responsibilities, and rights you would like to have as United Sates citizen? For me, that would be very interesting discussion.